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B4FA 2013 Ghana: Fundamentals of Science Journalism - Alex Abutu
- 1. Fundamentals of Science Journalism Alex Abutu Editor, Environment & Agric Page, Daily Trust Newspaper.
- 2. Why Science journalism? The need to improve the understanding of science, medicine and technology.
- 3. How to find a story • Sources of information and inspiration • News conferences • Press releases • Peer reviewed Journals • Research institutes, etc
- 4. What makes a good science story? There are three components to the perfect science story. The first is the intellectual leap or excitement that a particular piece of research brings. Second, the practical implications – how will this research change our lives? The third is the human story
- 5. Is it a story? What is the story here It is about society It is the science Is it about politics or the economy
- 6. Sources of information • A good science story depends to a large extend who or what the source is, so it is very important that the source of our information be credible and possibly an authority in the field.
- 7. Sources: Scientists Organisations NGOs Government Journals or other publications
- 8. Who do you trust? • Not all sources are valid • Science and ‘balance’ • Research vs opinion • Published work • Where and who by? • Peer review
- 10. Interviewing a scientist • Three quick tips on how to get the best out of an interview. • Be smart (Read about the subject) • Prepare your questions • Establish the rules
- 11. Interviewing a scientist • Scientists’ reactions to journalists • How to get the best from scientists • Building a relationship • How do you write the story for your reader to understand? • Translating science-speak without dumbing down
- 12. Interviewing a lobbyist • Relationships with lobbyists • How to get the truth from a lobbyist • Investigative interviewing techniques
- 13. How do scientists react to the media? • What do scientists think of us? • Misquote, misrepresentation, inability to understand common scientific jargon • What can you do about that? • Befriend them, win their trust, cross check copy, make them understand you a journalist • Building the relationship?
- 14. How do journalists react to scientists? • How do you typically react to scientists? • Mr think he knows everything, Jargon man, • What can you do about that? • Try to understand him, read more about his work • What can scientists do? • Be more accessible, be willing to explain • How can you help them achieve this
- 15. Selling it to your editor/producer • Why should this be published? • Impact on society, economy, health, etc • Selling the story to your editor • Must be well written, draw out benefits/implications of the discovery as it relate to food security, vision 202020 etc
- 16. Finally Remember that Science is procedural Science can be replicated anywhere Science is peer reviewed Science can be verified Science is about facts, accuracy
- 17. * NGOs/Lobbyists have an agenda * You are not a scientist * Science is not about opinion
- 18. Reading tips https://ijnet.org/stories/three-tips-better-news-interviews http://www.wfsj.org/course/ http://www.wfsj.org/course/lesson.htm?e=e03#L03P00 http://www.wfsj.org/course/lesson.htm?e=e06#L06P00 http://www.scidev.net/en/practical-guides/ Organisations you can freelance for: AfricaSTI.com (www.africasti.com) ScienceAfrica Science and Development network (www.scidev.net)